New Regulations Promised for Foreign Land Ownership

Government Officials and Head of Bali's Notary Association Warns that Foreign Land Ownership is a Threat to National Security.

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(1/21/2008)

The Indonesia Government is calling on notaries to exercise more caution in the issuance of property deeds of transfer in order to safeguard the nation against threats to its sovereignty, morality and sense of nationalism represented by the growing ownership of land by foreigners in Bali.

That call was made by the 2nd Deputy for the Issuance of Deeds and Titles of the National Land Agency (BPN), Bambang Eko, when he addressed a meeting of notaries held in Bali on Wednesday, January 16, 2008. "If the current situation continues, one century into the future our land will become the inheritance of foreigners," warned Bambang.

Because of this, Bambang has ordered notaries to be more diligent and take a closer look before issuing land certificates in Indonesia. Said Bambang: "This is closely connected to morality, it's not merely a material issue. What's more, if this is allowed to continue the worth and standing of the Indonesian people will be damaged."

In Indonesia notaries who issue deeds of transfer and articles of incorporation are appointed agents of the Government.

Acknowledging that many foreigners want to own land in Bali, Bambang announced that his office would soon issue a new regulation that will clarify the limits and requirements for foreigners wishing to reside with land in Bali.

The head of the Bali Notary Association (IPPAT-Bali), I Gusti Ngurah Agung Diatmika, issued his support for the promised new regulations, adding his own warning that Bali faces the very real possibility of being owned by foreigners held in the names of local nominees.

The comments by Bambang Eko and I Gust Ngurah Agung Diatmika were reported in NusaBali.

Diatmika emphasized that changes must be made in the internal procedures used by Bali's notaries, saying: "The public's faith in us (notaries) continues to decline because they are often losing their land use (hak pakai) and ownership (hak milik) before the courts. Because of this, our main duty for the near future is to regain the faith of the people by providing them with the certainty of the law."